Buckles Family

Have you ever had a photo hint open a door to a record that outlines relationships for an extended family? That’s what happened with the photo hint I had for Orilda Reed.

That image led me to the probate records for Henry Cunard and his wife, Priscilla Buckles. I find this record unique in that it identifies Priscilla’s siblings and some of her nieces and nephews.

image 2084
Your petitioner further show that the name and residence of teh heirs at law of said deceased, and other persons interested in said estate, as your petitioner is informed and believe are as follows:
Sally Wikoff wife Peter Wikoff
residing in the state of Iowa. John Buckles
of Buchanan Berrien County Michigan
Garvey Buckles residing in Indiana and
the heirs of William Buckles deceased late of Indiana
and the ehirs of Polly Reed deceased late of Indiana
and the heirs of George W. Buckles deceased late
of the state of Indiana Gerrett Cunrd of the
State of Ohio

image 2148
1873
Des Moines Polk Co Iowa June 23
Received of John Buckles Administrator of the estate of Henry Cunard Deceased four hundred and seventy six dollars it being my share of the estate.
Sarah O Wykoff

Image 2149
Received of John Buckels Administrator of the Estate of Henry Cunard deseised forty three dollars and 28 cents it being my share of the above mentioned me being one of the heirs of Mary Reed March the 30 1873
John Rickets
Orrilda Rickets

image 2150
Buchanan April 25 1873
Received of John Buckles Administrator of the Estate of Henry Cunard decesed four hundred and seventy six dollars it being my share of the above mentioned estate me being a brother and heir of said estate.
H[arve]y Buckles

image 2151
Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri
$43.28 to Celiclia P. Hendrix, daughter of Mary Reed
Mexico Audrain County MO
Received of JOhn Buckles Administrator of the estate of Henry CUnard deceased forty three dollars and twenty eight cents of $43.28 it being my share of the above mentioned estate being a daughter of Mary Reed, who is now deceased
Cecilia P. Hendrix

image 2152
$43.28
this being our shear of the above mentioned (estate of Henry Cunard)
We being the legal airs and guardian of the estate of Samuel B. Rogers deseae he being one of the airs of Mary Reed
James A Rogers guardian & air
John W Rogers
Martha Earl
Mary Ressler

Image 2153
Received Lincoln Neb
Feb 14th 1873
of John Buckles Administrator of the estate of Henry CUnard deceased. Forty three dn 28/200 dollars it being my share of the above mentioned
William D Johnson
Martha P Johnson

Image 2154
Holton Kas March 22 1873
Received of John Buckles Administrator of the estate of Henry Cunard deceased, the sum of forth three dollars and twenty eight cents ($43.28) the same being my distribution share as one of the heirs of Mary Reed deceased, who was one of the heirs of Henry Cunard deceased.
G. W. Reed
attest
C Broderick

image 2155
April 23 1873
Clinton Co Ia
Receovedo f John Buckles Administrator of the estate of Henry Cunard deceased forth three dollars and twnety eight cents $43.28 it being my share of the above mentioned estate being a son of Mary Reed who is now deceased
Charles Wesley Reed

image 2156
Received of John Buckels Administrator of the Estate of Henry Cunard Deceased forty three dollars and twenty eight cents in full of my share of the estate
January th 29 1873
James M Rogers
Received of John Buckels Administrator of the Estate of Henry Cunard Deceased forty three dollars and twenty eight cents in full of my share of the estate
January the 30 1873
Mary Deputy
Elias Deputy

Image 2157
March the 22d 1873
Received of JOhn Buckles administrator of the estate of Henry Conard deseased forty three dollars and 28 cts this being my shear of the above mentioned me being one of the airs of Mary Reed
Ann Earl

Michigan, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1784-1980, Henry Cunard, 9 March 1857; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 6 February 2023). Original Source: Michigan County, District and Probate Courts.

Photo Hints

Do you work with Ancestry hints? If so, do you save the photos to your Ancestry tree? I have to admit that I have mixed feelings about many of these photos. I like seeing family photos and will at times save them to my tree, especially if it is of a direct ancestor or close cousin. However, my 728 screens of photo suggestions is mostly cemetery photos or images of records. Since my Ancestry tree is not my primary tree, I tend to ignore these images of tombstones and records. Instead, I try to locate the record and make sure it is attached in my RootsMagic file, attaching an image to the source in RootsMagic.

Thus, while working thru new hints on my tree, I was tempted to just ignore a photo hint for Orilda Reed Rickets.

However, when I opened the image, I could tell that this particular photo was worth learning more about.

Received of John Buckels Administrater of the Estate of Henry Cunard be seized forty three dollars and 28 cents it being my share of the above mentioned me being one of the heirs of Mary Reed March the 30 1873
John Rickets
Orriilda Rickets

Since Orilda Reed is my third great grandmother, I wanted to know more about this particular image. Fortunately, the image provided some clues to help me find the record:

• Heir of Mary Reed — Mary Buckles Rogers Reed was the mother of Orilda Reed Ricketts
• John Buckels, administrator — suggests a relationship on the Buckles side of Orilda’s tree
• Henry Cunard – Mary Buckles Rogers Reed’s sister Priscilla was married to a Henry Cunard

While I haven’t done a lot of research of my BUCKLES ancestors, I did have Priscilla in my tree with Henry Cunard as her husband. However, I did not have a death date or place for Henry Cunard. Once I connected Henry Cunard in my file to the FamilySearch tree [L4b3-W6K], I had a death date (1858) and place (Berrien County, Michigan) to work with.

Knowing that Ancestry’s records included Indiana Wills and Probate records, I decided to search the catalog to see if Ancestry also had will and probate records for Michigan.

Thus, I searched the Michigan Wills and Probate records for Henry Cunard and found a record in Berrien County.

Henry Cunard’s probate file is extensive!

Reading the first few pages of this record, I was able to confirm that this record was for a Henry Cunard who had a wife named Priscilla.

Not only does the will identify Priscilla as the widow but it also provides a link to the BUKCLES family since money is left to Henry and George BUCKLES.

Later in the file, John BUCKLES is appointed administrator of the estate.

Thus, I’m fairly certain that his file is the source of the suggested photo hint for Orilda Reed Rickets. Digging thru this file, I was able to locate the receipt signed by John Rickets and Orrilda Rickets for Orrilda’s share of the estate of Henry Cunard.

It took a little digging, but I can now cite the image in my RootsMagic software for Orilda Reed. I can also add a citation for the probate record for Henry Cunard. With a little more digging thru the receipts, I can likely identify the siblings of Orilda and Priscilla. Thus, this one photo hint is going to help me document family relationships for the descendants of James Buckles.

Obituary Clipping

Obituary clipping that my grandmother kept and passed it down to me

Israel
Daisy Pearl Ricketts was born in Clinton County, Ind., July 29 1873, and departed this life Sept. 19, 1930, at her home in Yates Center, Kansas.
She was united in marriage to Grant Israel, April 15, 1894. To this union a little girl was born, which died in infancy.
She came to Kansas with her parents when she was 4 years old. She had resided in Yates Center for the past 15 years. Several years ago she united with the United Brethren church at Crandall, and had always lived a christian’s life.
She leaves to mourn her loss her husband, 3 sisters and 2 brothers: Mrs. Artie Briles, of Yates Center; Mrs. Mae Cokely, of Iola; Mrs. Belle Howell, of Oakland, Calif. Manford Ricketts, of Hutchinson, and Desmond Ricketts, of Vernon; nieces and nephews, Osmund Briles, of Buffalo; Mrs. Ethel Smith, of Hutchinson; Glen Briles, of Vernon; Mrs. Lulu Cope, of Yates Center; Roy Howell, of Oakland, Calif.; Hazel Yoho, of Crandall; Roscoe, Max and Jennie Lucile Ricketts, of Vernon; Floyd Israel, of Chillicoth, Oho, and a host of friends and relatives.
The passing of Mrs. Israel leaves a vacancy in her home and surroundings that no one can fill. She never thought of her suffering, always trying to comfort someone else, and to know her was to lover her. It seems all loving cre was done, but her Saviour had called her home, He who doeth all things well.
“I cannot say, I will not say,
That she is dead, she is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand,
She has wandered into a beautiful land,
And left us dreaming how very fair,
It needs must be, since she lingers there.

Mrs. Grant Israel, who formerly lived int he south part of Coffey county, died at 7 o’clock Friday evening, Sept. 19, 1930, at her home in Yates Center. She was, before her marriage, Pearl Rickett, and was well known in this county. Mrs. Israel was a sister-in-law of John and Harve Israel. She had been sick for the past six weeks. Burlington Republican

Ricketts Partition

Obtained from Frankfort Community Public Library
Frankfort, Indiana
Aug. 2022

State of Indiana
County of Clinton
Clinton Circuit Court
January Term AD 1889

Petition for Partition

Orilda Ricketts
Joseph H Ricketts
John E Ricketts
Clem Ricketts
Priscilla I Louks
Mary A. Bond
Ada M. Ricketts
William [L] Ricketts
James M Ricketts
Sarah Kinnan
Joseph H Ricketts guardian of Charles Ricketts

The petitioners above
named would respectfully represent to
the court that John Ricketts died
on the __ day of December 1889 the
described real estate situate in
Clinton County and State of Ind
iana to wit The North East quarter of
Section Fourteen (14) and the South East
quarter of the North West quarter of
Section fourteen (14) and the North west
Quarter of the South East quarter of
Section fourteen (14) the East half of the
South west quarter of Section Fourteen
(14) and the East half of the North West
fractional quarter of section twenty three

page 2
(23) except twenty acres off the South end
of the last described tract all in
Township Twenty one (21) North of
Range two (2) East
That Orilda Ricketts is the widow
of said John Ricketts deceased and is
the owner of the undivided one
third of the above described real
estate. and that Joseph H. Ricketts
John E. Ricketts Clem Ricketts Priscilla
[I] Louks Mary A Bond Ada M Rickets
William S Ricketts James M Ricketts
Sarah E. Kinnan and Charles Ricketts
are the children of John Ricketts deceased
and that the above named parties and
petitioner, are the only heirs at law
of said decedent. and that Charles
Ricketts is a minor and has for his
guardian Joseph H. Ricketts who joins
for him in this petition that the
above named children and petitioner
are each the owner of one fifteenth
of said real estate. That they all
join in this petition and ask that
the above described real estate be
partition and that one third in value
thereof be set off to Orilda Ricketts, and
that one fifteen in value thereof be set
of to each of the other petitioners and
they respectfully ask that commissioners be
appointed to make partition of said
lands among said petitioners

page 3
according to their respective
intent as herein set out and
report the same at this term of court
Doyal & Gard
Atty for Petitioners

Page 4 – cover document
No. 1
No 10549
Clinton Circuit Court
Janry Term A.D. 1889

Orilda Ricketts
Joseph H. Ricketts
John E. Ricketts
Clem Ricketts
Perscilla I Louks
Mary A Bond
Ada M Ricketts
William S Ricketts
James M Ricketts
Sarah E Kinnan
Charles Ricketts by
his guardian Joseph
H. Ricketts
Petitioner for Partition
Ex. Parte
Donal & Gard
Atty for Petitioners

Back of Document
Ricketts John (Probate) Box 778AA , file 4 (#10549)

Page 5
State of Indiana
Clinton County
Clinton Circuit Court
Janry Term AD 1889

Orildee Ricketts
Joseph H Ricketts
John E Ricketts
et al

Ex Parte No 10549
To the Hon Allen E.
Paige Judge of the Clinton Circuit Court
In pursuance of and in obedi
ence to the certified copy of the decree ren
dered in the above entitled cause issued
under the seal of said court and delivered
to us Lincoln Cox Thomas [Tuder] and
Henry Nelson Commissioners therein
named tested Feb 1 1889, which was
and is our commission and which
is hereto annexed we hereby respect
fully report that having first been
duly sworn and caused the oath
to be endorsed upon said com
mission we have examined the
premises described in said commiss
ion and we have set off to James M.
Ricketts the East half of the North west fractional quarter
of section twenty three (23) in township
twenty one (21) North of range two (2) East
except eight (8) acres off the north end and
twenty acres of the South end of said
tract containing thirty (30) acres
To Sarah E. Kinnan we have set off
eight acres off the north end of the Est half of the North

page 6
west fractional quarter of section twenty
three (23) and twenty two (22) acres off the
South end of the East half of the south
west quarter of section fourteen (14)
all in township twenty one (21) north
of range two (2) East containing thirty acres

To William S Ricketts we have set off
eighteen (18) acres off the North end
of the South East quarter of the South
west quarter of Section fourteen (14)
and twelve (12) acres off the west end
of the South half of the North East
quarter of th South Wes quarter of
Section Fourteen (14) all in township
twenty one (21) North of range two 2 East
containing thirty acres

To Joseph H. Ricketts we have set off
the North half of the North East quarter
of the South West quarter of Section
fourteen (14) and ten (10) acres off the
South end of the South East quarter
of the North West quarter of Section
fourteen (14) all in township twenty
one (21) North of Range two (2) East
containing thirty acres

To Mary A. Bond we have set off the
South East quarter of the North West quar
ter of section fourteen (14) in town-

page 7
ship twenty one north of range two
(2) east except ten acres off the South
end thereof

To Ada M Ricketts we have set off the
South West quarter of the North East
quarter of section fourteen (14) in
township twenty one (21) north of
Range two (2) Est except ten (10) acres
off the south end thereof

Tor Perscilla I Louks we have set off
the North West quarter of the North
East quarter of section fourteen (14)
in township Twenty one (21) North
of Range two (2) Est except ten (10)
acres off the east side thereof

To Clem Ricketts we have set off
Ten (10) acres off the Est side of the [north]
west quarter of the North east quarter of
Section fourteen (14) and ten acres off
the west side of the North east
quarter of the North east quarter
of section fourteen (14) and ten acres
off the North side of the South East
quarter of the North East quarter of
section fourteen (14) all in township
twenty one (21) north of range two 2
Est containing thirty acres

page 8
To John E. Ricketts we have set off the
North east quarter of the North East quarter
of section fourteen (14) in township
twenty one (21) [north] of range two (2) East
except ten (10) acres off the west side thereof

To Charles Ricketts we have set off the
South East quarter of the North East
quarter of section fourteen (14) in township
twenty one (21) north of Range two (2) Est
Except ten (10) acres off the North end
thereof

To Orilda M. Ricketts we have set off the
North West quarter of the South East
quarter of section fourteen (14) and
ten (10) acres off the south side of the
South West quarter of the North East
quarter of section fourteen (14) and
eight acres off the East end of the
South half of the North East quarter
of the South West quarter of section
fourteen (14) all in township twenty
one North of Range two (2) East contai
ning fifty eight (58) acres
All of which is respectfully
submitted
Lincoln Cox
Henry Nelson
Thomas [Tudor]

page 9
which is by the court
4 and [approved] the
com allow $3 paid of
Signed Feb 11th 1889
Fnd og feb 8th 29th day

page 10
And did then appoint you the said Lincoln Cox, Thomas
Tudor and Henry Nelson
Commissioners, to make partition of said tract or lot of land, and said Commissioners
are hereby ordered after taking the oath required by law, to proceed to set apart
the same to the said parties in the following proportion to wit: to the said
To Orilda Ricketts one third (1/3) and
to Joseph Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
to John E Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
Clem Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
Percilla I Louks one fifteenth (1/15)
Mary A Bond one fifteenth (1/15)
Ada M. Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
Wm S Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
James M Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
Sarah Kinnan one fifteenth (1/15)
Joseph H Ricketts, guardian of
Charles Ricketts one fifteenth (1/15)
and that you make report of your proceedings in the premises during the
January Term, 1889 of said Court
Witness, the Clerk and Seal of said Court, at Frankfort
this 1st day of February A.D. 1889
Olive Gard Clerk
Clinton Circuit Court

page 11
State of Indiana, Clinton County, ss:
Clinton Circuit Court, January Term 1889
The State of Indiana to Lincoln Cox, Thomas
Tudor and Henry Nelson
Whereas, in a certain proceeding for the Partition of real estate, now Pending in
the Clinton circuit Court of said State, wherein Orilda Ricketts
Joseph Ricketts John E Ricketts Clem Ricketts
Percilla Louks Mary A Bond Ida M Ricketts
William S Ricketts James M Ricketts Sarah Kinnan
and Joseph H Ricketts guardian of Charles Ricketts

the Court did then and there on the 30th day of January
A.D. 1889, award judgment of partition of the following tract or lot of land, situ
ate in said County, to wit:
The North East quarter of section fourteen (14)
and the South East quarter of the Northwest quarter
of section fourteen (14) and the north west quarter
of the South East quarter of section fourteen (14) the
east half of the South west quarter of section
fourteen (14) and the East half of the North west
fractional quarter of section twenty three (23)
except twenty (20) acres off the South End of
the last described tract all in Township twenty one
(21) North of Range two 2) East

page 12
Oath
State of Indiana, Clinton County, ss:
We, Lincoln Cox, Henry Nelson and
Thomas Tuder
do each and severally solemnly swear that we will discharge the duties of Commis
sioners, in accordance with the within order, to the best of our ability; so help us God
Lincoln ox
Henry Nelson
Thomas Tudor
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of February A.D. 1889
Samuel H Doyal
Notary Public

No 10549
Clinton Circuit Court
January Term 1889
Orilda Ricketts Et al
E Parte
filed
Feb 8 1889
Oliver [Gard]
Order to
Lincoln Cox
Thomas Tudor
Henry Nelson
Commissioners to Make Partition
Doyal & Gard
Attorney

Box 778 File 4
No.. 10549
Orilda Ricketts
Joseph H. Ricketts
John E Ricketts
Clem Ricketts Etal
Exparte
Clinton Circuit Court
January Term 1889
Filed January 30 1889
Oliver Gard
By
Court Room, Box No. 29
Doyal & Gard
pt Record 6 1/2 pages $6 50
page 304

Mailbag

Do you remember the days of the SASE, putting one in a letter and then waiting for it to come back to you? (SASE: Self addressed stamped envelope) Well, even though I didn’t receive a SASE in the mail, I did receive a bounty of genealogy documents in the mail recently!

One package was from the Frankfort Community Public Library in Clinton County, Indiana and contained photocopies of probate records for my Ricketts/Reed family.

The other package was a thumb drive from Brad Quinlan. In June, he posted in the Facebook group, Descendants of Andersonville Prison, that he was making a trip to Washington, D.C. to do research and had time to take on more clients during that trip. Even though I had already requested the military and pension files for my civil war ancestors from the national archives, I did not know at the time about requesting the ENTIRE file. Not knowing what I might be missing, I elected to inquire about whether he had time to fulfill my requests. He did have time to take on my requests and a thumb drive arrived recently containing the images obtained from those files.

In both cases, there was an exchange of money. However, what I spent obtaining the records was a small percentage of what it would cost to pay travel expenses for me to obtain them myself.

I am thankful to have these records. Now, I have lots of work to do to get these transcribed!

• Probate Record for John Ricketts (2MTW-355)
• Partition file for John Ricketts’ estate
• Probate record for Mary Reed (KLVH-CFM)
• Military file for George Mentzer (LHKS-17Q)
• Pension file for George Mentzer
• Military file for James M. Ricketts (KV21-XBR)
• Pension file for James M. Ricketts
• Military file for Noah Briles (K2Q1-RG9)
• Pension file for Noah Briles
• Military files (3 of them) for Richmond F. Hammond (2B2M-GXK)
• Pension file for Richmond F. Hammond
• Military file for Washington Marion Crawford (KHFD-XRW)
• Pension file for Washington Marion Crawford

John Lewis Ricketts

John Lewis Ricketts was born on 22 Nov 1812 in Fleming, Kentucky, United States.^1–2

He migrated about 1830 to in Rush, Indiana, United States.²

He filed land entry papers for the E SW 80 acres / original entry 2/26/1845 for ENW 57.95 acres on 2 Jan 1845 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.³ E Sw – 80 acres / original entry 2/26/1845 for ENW 57.95 acres

John was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Clinton, Indiana, United States.²

He lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States in Jul 1850.⁴ John Rickets was listed as the head of household on the 1850 Clinton County Indiana census. According to the census, John was a 37 year old male farmer with $850 in real estate who was born in Kentucky. Also listed in the household was Arilda a 22 year old female; James a 3 year old male born in Indiana and Prisilla a 9/12 year old female born in Indiana.

He lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States in Jul 1860.⁵ John Rickets was listed as the head of household on the 1860 census in Clinton County, Indiana. According to the census, John was a 48 year old male farmer with $1000 in real estate who was born in Kentucky. Also listed in the household were Arrilda a 25 year old female born in Indiana, James a 12 year old male born in Indiana, Jane a 10 year old female born in Indiana , Mary A.an 8 year old female born in Indiana, Lewis a 5 year old male born in Indiana, Edward a 4 year old male born in Indiana and Nathaniel a 6/12 year old male born in Indiana.

John lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States on 1 Jul 1870.⁶ John Rickets was listed as the head of household on the 1870 Clinton County, Indiana census. According to the census, John was a 58 year old male farmer with $6300 in real estate who was born in Kentucky. Also listed in the household were Rilda R. a 43 year old femlae born in Indiana, Mary A. an 18 year old female born in Indiana, William [S] a 15 year old male born in Indiana, John E. a 13 year old male born in Indiana, Joseph H. a 9 year old male born in Indiana, Clemuel a 6 year old male born in Indiana, Sarah E. a 4 year old female born in Indiana, Addie M. a 2 year old female born in Indiana and Charles Rickets an 8/12 year old male born in Indiana.

He was a member of the Republican party.²

He lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States on 7 Jun 1880.⁷ John Rickets was listed as the head of household on the 1880 census in Clinton County, Indiana. According to the census, John was a 67 year old farmer born in Kentucky. Also listed in the household was his wife Arilda, age 52 and born in Indiana; his sons Lewis, age 24 born in Indiana; Joseph, age 19 born in Indiana; Charles age 10 born in Indiana; and daughters Sarah, age 14 born in Indiana; and Addie M, age 12 born in Indiana.

John died on 23 Dec 1888 at the age of 76 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.¹

He was buried after 23 Dec 1888 at Baker Cemetery in Scircleville, Clinton, Indiana, United States.¹

John Lewis Ricketts and Orilda Matilda Reed obtained a marriage license on 24 Nov 1846 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.⁸

They were married on 3 Dec 1846 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.^2,8–14

Orilda Matilda Reed, daughter of John C. Reed and Mary Buckles, was born on 20 Jan 1828 in Jennings, Indiana, United States.^2,15–17

She lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States in Jul 1850.⁴ Arilda Rickets was listed in the household of John Rickets on the 1850 Clinton County, Indiana Census. According to the census, Arilda was 22 years old and born in Indiana.

She lived a 25 year old female born Indiana and was listed as Arvilda Rickets in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States in Jul 1860.⁵

Orilda lived a 42 year old female born Indiana and was listed as Rilda R. Rickets in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States on 1 Jul 1870.⁶

She lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States on 7 Jun 1880.⁷ Arilda Rickets was listed as the wife of John Rickets on the 1880 Clinton County, Indiana census. According to the census, Arilda was 52 years old and born in Indiana.

She lived in Sugar Creek Township, Clinton, Indiana, United States on 12 Jun 1900.¹⁸ Orilda Ricketts was listed as a head of household on the 1900 Clinton County Indiana census. According to the census, Orilda was a 73 year old widow born in Indiana. Also listed in the household was a daughter, Addie, a grandson, Charles Q Chambers, and servant Louisa Scott and son Paul Scott.

Orilda died on 28 Jun 1900 at the age of 72 in Clinton, Indiana, United States.^17,19–20

She was buried after 3 Jul 1900 at Baker Cemetery in Scircleville, Clinton, Indiana, United States.¹⁷

Children of John and Orilda Ricketts:

• James Marshall Ricketts (1847-1920)
• Priscilla Jane Ricketts (1849-1928)
• Mary Ann (Mollie) Ricketts (1851-1933)
• William Lewis Ricketts (1855-1938)
• John Edward Ricketts (1857-1930)
• Nathaniel Ricketts (1859-1862)
• Joseph Harvey Ricketts (1861-1902)
• Clemuel W. Ricketts (1863-1950)
• Sarah Elizabeth (Bessie) Ricketts (1865-1940)
• Ada Marie Ricketts (1867-1933)
• Charles Wesley Ricketts (1869-1948)

ENDNOTES:

1. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 24 April 2020), memorial for John L. Ricketts (1812-1888), Find a Grave Memorial no. #11533021, created by R & Kim Hancock, citing Baker Cemetery, Scircleville, Clinton County, Indiana; accompanying photograph by R & S Fine, John L. Ricketts.

2. , History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL  1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

3. Clinton County Indiana Duplicate First Tract Book (: , 1980), p. 103 and 106

4. 1850 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Indiana, page 406, household 11, John Rickets; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online 5 April 2021); NARA microfilm publication M432.

5. 1860 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Indiana, page 149, household 1088, John Rickets; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication M653.

6. 1870 U.S. Census, Clinton County, Indiana, population schedule, Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Indiana, page 9 Image 9 of 25, household 65, John Rickets; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T132

7. 1880 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, Johnson Township, Clinton County, Indiana, enumeration district (ED) ED 10, Page 5, household 28, John Rickets; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T9.

8. Indiana, Clinton County. Marriage records,1830-1951.  Film #2259371 DGS 007662120. John Ricketts, 3 Dec 1846 vol. 2: #879; digitized images, FamilySearch http://www.familysearch.org : viewed online 10 August 2022.

9. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7836/). Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 : viewed online 26 July 2022.

10. “Indiana, Compiled Marriage Index, 1802-1892,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), John Ricketts – Arrilda Matilda Reed.

11. “Indiana, Marriage Index, 1800-1941,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), John Ricketts – Arrilda Matilda Reed.

12. “Indiana, Marriage Index, 1806-1861,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (July 2017), Arrilda Matilda Reed – John Ricketts; State library of Indiana.

13. “Indiana, Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online October 2017), Arrilda Matilda Reed.

14. John Walter Reed, Compiler, The Reed Family (Pine Island, Minnesota: John Walter Reed, 1998), page 25 Clinton County IN John Reed.

15. Kentuckians in Ohio and Indiana (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986)

16. 1900 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, [CivilDivision], enumeration district (ED) [ED], [PageID], [HouseholdID], [Person]; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : [AccessType] [AccessDate]); NARA microfilm publication T623.

17. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online July 2017), memorial for Orilda Matilda “Arilla” Reed Ricketts (1828-1900), Find a Grave Memorial no. #11533029, created by R & Kim Hancock, citing Baker Cemetery, Scircleville, Clinton County, Indiana; accompanying photograph by R & S Fine, Orilda Matilda “Arilla” Reed Ricketts.

18. 1900 U.S. Census, Clinton County Indiana, population schedule, Sugar Creek Township, Clinton County, Indiana, enumeration district (ED) ED 58, Sheet 10A, household 154, Orilda Ricketts; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA microfilm publication T623.

19. Index to Death Records Warren County Indiana 1882-1920, inclusive, Letters A-Z inclusive ([Indianapolis]: The Administration, 1939), Orilda M. Ricketts –

20. Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011, Orilda Matilda Ricketts, 28 June 1900; database with images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017).

Public Library Sources

Is the local public library on your list of repositories to search for family history information? While I don’t have ancestral roots in Seneca, Kansas, the Seneca Free Library is very helpful for my research.

First, the library director agreed to submit the application to become an ‘affiliate library’ for FamilySearch records. By being an affiliate library, I can pack up my laptop and travel a whole sum of 0.5 miles to view many county records that are locked from my home. Check out the list of affiliate libraries to see if there is one close to your home!

Second, the Seneca Free Library paid for the digitization of the local newspaper! These digitized copies have been a tremendous help in my work with the Nemaha County Historical Society. Unlike Newspapers.com and other companies, the Seneca area newspapers are available for FREE by using the link on the library’s site.

Knowing that other libraries also paid to have their local newspapers digitized, I always check the list of free newspapers maintained on Ancestor Hunt when looking for an obituary or other information on individuals in my tree.

While working to update my research for John Lewis Ricketts, I was hoping to find an obituary or other newspaper article about his life in Clinton County, Indiana. When all of my newspaper searches unearthed nothing, I decided to see what the local library in Frankfort, Indiana might have.

While the Frankfort Community Public Library did not have links to digitized newspapers on their site, they did have a page of links to genealogy resources. This page included a link to the Clinton County Court Archive Database.

Following this link, I was able to search for RICKETTS in the probate records. And I found the box/file number for a John Ricketts probate record!

http://engagedpatrons.org/database/FrankfortCourthouseArchives/Brief.cfm

I then broadened my search to show Probate Records for the RICKETTS surname.

http://engagedpatrons.org/database/FrankfortCourthouseArchives/Brief.cfm

Curious as to what else might be contained in this database, I searched the CIVIL court records. This revealed a case where James M. Ricketts is identified as the ‘Heir of Isom Gallimore’!

In addition to this very valuable database of court records, Frankfort Community Public Library’s site indicates they have other resources in their collection, including microfilm copies of the newspapers.

https://myfcpl.org/genealogy-local-history/

I will be contacting the library to get information on how to obtain copies of the probate and civil court files! I will also inquire about a local researcher to dig into the newspapers for an obituary.

Thus, I’m reminded to check the local public library, historical society and genealogical society where I’m researching to see what resources might be available!

Thank you Frankfort Community Public Library and Clinton County (Indiana) genealogists for your work to preserve and share Clinton County history.

County History

Have you used county histories in your search for family information? When I first started, these histories were tremendous help to my research. I was aware that many genealogist referred to these histories as ‘mug books’ since people often paid to be included and may have enhanced their biographies.

As I was reviewing my sources for John Ricketts, I came across his biography in the book, History of Clinton County, Indiana published in 1886 by Inter-State Publishing Company. Not only does this biography contain a wealth of information about James and his family but there are other helpful biographies in the publication as well. The details from these biographies formed the backbone for my research of this family and helped me locate records for the family.

John Ricketts Biography

page 862 – image 1090
John Ricketts was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, November 22, 1812, a son of Edward and Sarah (Story) Ricketts, also natives of Fleming County. When he was eighteen years old his parents moved to Rush County, Indiana, and entered a farm from the Government. From Rush County our subject came to Clinton County, and entered 200 acres of Government land and cleared a spot where he built his house, but two years later moved to another part of the land which was part prairie. He has added to his first entry from time to time until he now owns 357 acres. In 1883 he built his present commodious frame house, and his other farm buildings are comfortable and convenient. He has always been a hard­working man and is rewarded by having a competency for his declining years. Mr. Ricketts was married December 3, 1846, to Orilda Matilda Reed, who was born in Jennings County, Indiana, January 20, 1828, a daughter of John and Mary (Buckles) Reed. They have had eleven children-James M., born November 28, 1847; Priscilla J., born October 10, 1849, is the wife of John Lonks, Mary A., born October 7, 1851, is the wife of James P. Bond; William L., born April 18, 1855; John E., born July 1, 1857; Nathan, born November 27, 1859, died July 5, 1862; Joseph H., born October 28, 1861 ; C. W., born June 30, 1863; Sarah, born July 7, 1865; Addie M., born March 18, 1867; Charles W., born October 9, 1869. Mr. Ricketts in politics is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Ricketts’s father was born in the State of New York in 1800, and when a young man accompanied his father’s family to Jennings County, Indiana. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, and died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, August 15, 1865. Her mother was born near Shepardstown, Virginia, December 6, 1792, and was first married to John H. Rodgers, who was born January

page 863
3, 1787, and died December 2, 1821, and she then married Mr. Reed, and to them were born six children—Cecilia F., Martha J., Orilda M., George W., Charles W. and Francis M. The mother died February 14, 1867.

History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL 1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

John C. Reed Biography

This biography is a little confusing since it indicates that John and his wife Mary had 11 children. In reality, some of those 11 children are from Mary’s first marriage to John Rogers and thus not the biological children on John Reed.

page 761 (image 1033)

John C. Reed, deceased was a native of New York State, born on the Genesee River in 1787. His father came to this country with a regiment of Hessians, who came in the interest of the Queen; but upon arriving here he joined the American army and served through the Revolutionary war. John came to the Territory of Indiana in 1812 with the family of James Buckles, settling in Jennings County and remaining there several years. He married Mary Buckles, a daughter of James Buckles, who came from England. He belonged to the nobility and brought a permit from the Queen to preempt any amount of land in Virginia, but being opposed to the curse of slavery he freed his slaves and emigrated to Indiana. Three of his slaves refused to leave him, and he provided them with a quarter-section of land in his new county. He preempted a township which is divided among his children, and he and his wife are buried upon the place he selected for his home. He will long be remembered as one of the enterprising early settlers of Indiana. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters; all were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. After his marriage John settled upon the land entered by his

page 762 (image 1034)
father-in-law, and lived upon it until 1844, when he came to Clinton Count y and entered 300 acres of Government land in Sugar Creek Township, and began to improve his future home. He hauled lumber from Indianapolis with which to build his house. The nearest mill was at Eagle Village. Mr. and Mrs. Reed were the parents of eleven children– Samuel (deceased), James M., George M., C. W., Francis (deceased), Ann, Mary, Elizabeth, Celia, Martha and Arrilda M. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. At the age of sixty-five years, when the country needed brave and true men, Mr. Reed went out in defense of his country. He enlisted in 1862 in the Seventh Indiana Cavalry. He died in the hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, just after receiving an honorable discharge. His wife survived him two years. C. W. Reed, son of the preceding, farmer and stock-raiser, Michigan township, was born in Jennings county, Indiana, on the farm entered by his grandfather, June 23, 1833. When nine years of age, he came with his father’s family to Clinton County, where his youth was spent in assisting his father in clearing and improving his farm. He resided with his father until his marriage to Agnes W. Moncrief, of Jefferson County, Indiana, which occurred November 17, 1852. He then settled upon his present farm, which was entered by a man named Spencer. It was then a dense wilderness. He has cleared and improved it, and has a fine residence. They had five children — Willis r., William S., Frank S., Emma L. and Bird M. He lost his wife April 6, 1881, and was again married march 1882, to Miss Frances Smiley, who was born in Carroll County. Her father died when she was an infant and her mother afterward married R. S. Irwin. One child was born to this union. Mr. reed has a fine farm of 145 acres, well cultivated. He is a member of the Baptist church and his wife of the Presbyterian church. He affiliates with the Republican party.

History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL 1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

James P. Bond Biography

page 667 – image 975
Biography of James P. Bond

James P. Bond, an enterprising farmer of Kirklin Township, is a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born September 24, 1854, a son of Elias J. and Margaret (Slagle) Bond. He was brought by his parents in early childhood to Clinton County, they locating in the northern part of Kirklin Township, and there grew to manhood, being reared to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Bond was united in marriage September 15, 1872, to Miss Mary Ann Rickets, who was born in Clinton County, in Sugar Cree Township, October 7, 1852, a daughter of John and Aurilda (Reed) Rickets. To Mr. and Mrs. Bond have been born two children — Lou Favre, born January 24, 1874, and Harry B., born September 28, 1881. Mr. Bond’s farm contains eighty-three acres of valuable land, eighty-two acres located on section 26 and one acre on section 23, his residence being on the line between the two sections. Mrs. Bond’s father was a native of Kentucky. He subsequently went to Rush County, Indiana, and later located in Clinton County, where he was married to Aurilda Reed, a daughter of John and Mary Reed, the father born in the State of Virginia, dying in hospital during the late war, and the mother dying in Clinton County, Indiana. Mrs. Bond, was the third child in a family of ten children. Mr. Bond in his political views, is a Republican.

History of Clinton County, Indiana: together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies and representative citizens, also a condensed history of Indiana, embodying accounts of prehistoric races, Indian wars and a brief review of its civil and political history (Chicago: Inter-state Publishing Co., 1886, ), page 862-863; FHL 1036812 item 6 DGS 7956702.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

It’s Saturday Night –

time for more Genealogy Fun!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music here) is to:

1) It’s National Women’s History Month, so I’m going to use today’s prompt from Lisa Alzo. What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.

My mother attended Kansas State Teachers College after graduating from Emporia High School. As a student, she met my dad and married him at the end of her junior year. While her formal education stopped while she raised a young family, her informal education began when she started working part time as a medical secretary. After the family’s move to Emporia, mom continued her work as a medical secretary at St. Mary’s Hospital. During this time, she completed requirements to become certified as an Accredited Record Technician. and was named the Director of the Medical Records department at St. Mary’s. At the same time, she was going back to college to complete her degree receiving a Bachelor of Science in Business from Emporia State University.

While my grandma Crawford (Winnie Letha Currey Crawford) only talked about her being in school when her mother died, I did find a newspaper article indicating that she received a diploma from Horace Mann School in 1916. I find this achievement extremely remarkable since Winnie was placed in a children’s home for a time after her mother’s death in 1913 when Winnie was 10.

While grandma Crawford rarely talked about her schooling, grandma Briles did. My grandmother, Pauline Edith Briles Mentzer, told me her diploma was for high school graduation. In reality, that diploma was for completing the Common School Course of Study in School District No. 9 in Coffey County, Kansas in 1913. Pauline did attend high school by going to Yates Center to live with her future sister-in-law, Lulu Cope. However, she is not mentioned in any of the lists of graduates for Yates Center. Since Pauline was married in 1915, she may not have actually graduated from high school.

According to the 1930 census, my great grandmother, Josie Hammond Crawford, did not attend school but could read and write.

My great grandmother, Winnie Hutchinson Currey, did not live long enough to be in the 1930 census. Since her family seems to have moved a lot, she may not have attended school.

Like Josie, my great grandmother, Francis Artlissa Ricketts Briles is recorded in the 1930 census as not attending school but able to read and write.

The same is true for Nettie Adell Wells Mentzer. She is recorded in the 1930 census as being able to read and write while not having attended school.

Since my great grandmothers were able to read and write, they were likely educated in the home. Even though they did not have a formal education, their daughters did attend school with some of them not only graduating from high school but going on to receive additional degrees. Esther Crawford Noll, daughter of Josie, completed her nursing degree and served as a nurse during World War II. Gladys Mentzer, daughter of Nellie, attended Kansas State Teachers College and obtained a lifetime teaching certificate.

Throwback Thursday

James Marshall Ricketts farmstead

Desmond Ricketts family: Anna Myers Ricketts, Hazel Ricketts, Charles Desmond Ricketts

Rachel Christy Ricketts, Artie Ricketts Briles, Ethel Briles, Glen Briles, Osmund Briles, James Marshall Ricketts